Cage wars return to Nairobi: ChezaCheza backs ANZA contenders 9 fight night

The event, supported by ChezaCheza, will see fighters from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania step into the cage as they battle for victory and an opportunity to build their MMA careers. Doors open at 6pm, with the first fights scheduled to begin at 7pm.

At the top of the card, Kenya’s Norman Mondo will face fellow Kenyan Martin Chite in a highly anticipated flyweight main event. The two emerging prospects are accomplished grapplers who can compete across different areas of MMA, setting the stage for a fast-paced contest.

The featherweight co-main event will feature ANZA fan favourite Samuel Laurian against Uganda’s Olanya Richard. Laurian is known for his explosive approach, aggressive style and powerful takedowns, and will be looking to produce another memorable performance in front of the Nairobi crowd.

Also stepping into the cage will be Asad Abdulkadir, who makes his highly anticipated MMA debut after returning to Kenya from Sudan and Oman. He faces Amos Eboso, a power boxer making his fourth ANZA MMA appearance.

Hamza Fahim will take on Joshua Ojow in another featherweight clash, with Fahim aiming to continue his strong run after recording two finishes in his previous ANZA appearances. The preliminaries will feature a series of contests involving fighters from across the region, including a lightweight bout between Shadrack Otieno and Tanzania’s Muhammad Salim, who brings international competition experience from MMA Dar and training experience in Saudi Arabia.

For ANZA MMA founder Peng Chen, Contenders is about creating a pathway for young fighters to develop their skills and progress towards professional MMA.

“ANZA Contenders is about giving fighters the opportunity to prove themselves,” said Chen.

ChezaCheza’s support of ANZA Contenders 9 underscores its commitment to bringing exciting sporting experiences closer to Kenyan audiences while supporting platforms that give emerging talent a chance to compete and grow. ChezaCheza will have a prominent presence across the event and its promotional campaign.

The event follows ANZA MMA’s sold-out professional show in September, which attracted more than 1,000 fans, further highlighting the growing appetite for MMA in Kenya. Tickets are available online, with prices starting at KES 500, while VIP tickets are going for KES 3,000.

With an 11-fight card and regional talent on display, ANZA Contenders 9 is set to deliver an action-packed Thursday night at The Alchemist; with ChezaCheza backing the next generation of East African MMA talent.